Removing stick pads used to secure numberplates

[toff]

Hello all,

Have you ever been faced with a nightmare like this:



Those sticky pads are a nightmare to remove. I've swapped numberplates so many times, I thought I'd share some particularly handy hints..


WHAT YOU'll NEED:
1. A plastic kitchen spatula (to get the plate off if it's stuck-on very well)
2. A few old 2p coins (all will be revealed later)
3. Lots of paper towels / kitchen roll (for clean-up)
4. Latex gloves (not necessary if you're a real man!)
5. Citrus gel or citrus spray (a natural solvent to break-down the sticky stuff)
6. Isopropyl (to remove any residues left on the surface)


RECCOMENDED PRODUCTS:
For the citrus based product, I recommend a citrus gel; it's gloopy so it's great for smothering the foam pads. I got this ProChem Citrus Gel from Hull Vac (01482 320633 - ask to speak to Martin & say Alex sent you - you may get a discount!)



The citrus spray I have used in the past is called "Sticky Stuff Remover" made by Servisol. It can be bought in Maplins for £4.99 (code AP98G) They also do their own-brand label remover for £3.79 (code N63AN).



I imagine Isopropyl is the same wherever you get it from, but once more I went to Maplins for mine. You can either go for it in a 400ml spray can at £7.49 (Code RE79L) or a much better value 1 Ltr tin for £10.99 (Code RE71N).

It's worth getting the big tin because i. it's much better value and ii. it's incredibly useful stuff - you can even clean your MAF with it (to read a thread where I describe how to clean your MAF click here).





GETTING RID OF THE STICKY STUFF!
1. Remove your number plates. If they have been stuck-on really well, slide a plastic kitchen spatula behind the numberplate to separate it from the foam sticky pads.

As you can see from the photo below, I have OCD (thanks to my numberplate flying off on the motorway as a result of using cheap sticky pads!) So I stuck my plate on extremely well last time! (in retrospect, it was overkill!)



2. Having removed the numberplate, smother the remaining sticky pads in citrus gel or spray with citrus spray and leave it to soak for at least 5 minutes (the citrus will dry out your fingers a bit - use latex gloves if you're bothered about that).

Try not to let the gel / spray run down the paintwork - wipe up with kitchen roll / paper towels if it does. It's only mildly corrosive and shouldn't react with the lacquer, but I chose not to take the risk!


(No rude comments please!)

3. Using an old 2p coin, start to rub away at the strips. Obviously do this at your own risk, but I've been doing this for years and it barely leaves a mark on the paintwork, if at all (and after all, it's behind the numberplate).

Key points to mention at this stage:
i. You will have to repeat this step 3-4 times so don't try to get all the sticky stuff off in one go! (it simply won't work becuase the citrus can only penetrate so far into the pad on each application). Don't be shy though; you have to give it a fairly hard rub.

ii. The reason you must use an old 2p coin: the edges will be worn from years of use, they are unlikely to scratch your paintwork. If you don't mind a few scratches behind the numberplate - use a new one with sharp edges (it will speed the process up but do it at your own risk!)



4. Once you've rubbed / scraped as much as you can off each foam pad, simply repeat step 2&3 again (remembering to leave the gel / spray to soak in for 5 mins). Change to another old 2p coin each time you repeat step 2&3.



5. You will probably need to repeat step 2&3 again (possibly upto 4 times). Be a bit more gentle with the 2p coin as you get closer to the paintwork. The nice part is when you get down to the final bit of sticky pad - rub the coin in circular motions - the gunk just clings to the coin in a big stringy mess and should come off nicely!



6. When there's barely anything left of the stick pads, ditch the coin and apply a liberal amount of gel / spray across the area (try to stick to the area hidden by the numberplate). Leave it for a minute and then rub vigorously with a handful of kitchen roll / paper towels. All the little bits should come off.



7. To finish-up, give some kitchen roll / paper towel a liberal dowsing in Isopropyl and rub the entire numberpalate recess to remove any remaining residue. The area is now ready to have new sticky pads applied to it (I recommend sticking them to the numberplate first).



8. Make sure you check the surrounding area for splashes of the citrus spray / gel. Wash off with soapy water & rinse.

9. To remove the sticky pads from the numberplate, repeat the steps above. You can safely use a new 2p coin & you can be a lot rougher (it'll still take you around 3 goes to get rid of it though!)


BUYING THE CORRECT STICKY PADS:
For years, I've been buying the Signam stickers from Halfords; each time I always think "crikey, these are expensive".

I thought I'd save a bit of cash so I bought myself a whole roll of double-sided adhesive foam strip (you know, the stuff with the green backing tape). BAD MISTAKE - it's cheap and nasty! On a hot day, it will probably loose it's grip on your numberplate and your numberplate will drop-off!

Do yourself a favour - you probably only swap your numberplate once in a blue moon, spend the cash on those expensive little Signam adhesive pads (from Halfords) - they are the very best in my opinion and are a worthwhile investment (especially when you consider a decent numbperlate costs around £15). The only down-side is (as you can see from the photos above) they are a damn pain to remove after use!


If you've found this how-to helpful, please don't forget to hit the button on the right!

If you think this how-to is like teaching granny to suck eggs, then (to quote another forum member) kiss my ring, all four of them!

Cheers,
Toff.

[kite]

Neat......I prefer to use number plate carriers, so no sticky pads and I can swop plates
in secs, for MOT or a jobs worth plod....

[toff]

I prefer to use number plate carriers

Do you mean the black plastic surrounds that the dealerships put on the cars prior to sale?

[kite]

Yep... look the same but you can change plates in a jiff'
The carriers are screwed to the car, as on your tailgate the holes are there.
the plate slides up into the surround and the bottom piece locks the plate.
The bottompiece can be removed with a key (supplied).
I have Audi Ingolstadt ones...pic attached

[toff]

I like the idea of the carrier without the bottom piece.

I presume you've gone for a smooth look (no screw heads) by sticking your numberplate to the carrier using stick pads?

I guess it's back to square 1 when you want to unscrew the carrier - you'll have to peel the numberplate off & there'll be sticky pads that need removing!! (easier than removing from the paintwork I guess!)

Toff.

[kite]

No sticky pads... carrier bolted to the car and plate slides in to the carrier and locks in place.
No holes in the plates..

[toff]

Cool, so there's only a tiny bit of the carrier showing around the numberplate? (providing you take the bottom part off obviously).

Where did you get yours from & how much was it please?

Cheers
Toff.

[kite]

The bottom bit, with the name on is the locking piece tahat holds the plate, if you remove it the plate comes out.
I got mine from http://www.dubmeister.co.uk/

[eallin]

Kite, any pics of the surrounds on the car please? Struggling to decide how they might look. Also, the delivery charges on the site you recommend, £13! Did you pay that?

[kite]

I'll get some pix up in a couple of days
Can't remember the price, don't think i paid £13 post.